Accra, July 21, GNA- Ghanaian 800m runner, Alex Amankwah failed to qualify to the semi finals stage of the ongoing World Athletics Championship in Oregon, USA after being caught on lane violation.
Amankwah finished the heat two of the 800m race with a time of 1:45.92 to finish in fourth place. This could have earned him an automatic qualification to the semi finals but was disqualified due to lane violation rule.
The athlete could have been the only Ghanaian individual to have qualified to this year’s World Olympic Championship semi final after the likes of Benjamin Azamati, Joseph Paul Amoah and Sean Safo-Antwi could not pull through their race.
Speaking after his race, the Ghanaian expressed how heartbroken he was knowing he had violated the rule of the sport.
« I stepped on the line the first 20 metres exactly three times and that is enough f or a disqualification which is frustrating because I realised I am good enough to make the next round. »
According to the 30-year old, he felt sad having worked enough to attain this height only for him to be disqualified in the race.
Alex Amankwah still holds a national record as the fastest Ghanaian in the 800 metres event.
Team Ghana would now be looking forward to putting in much effort in the Men’s 4X100 metres relay in the coming events.
